Mavericks Send Message by Beating Trail Blazers

Juwan Howard scored 24 points and Michael Finley added 23 Wednesday night as the Dallas Mavericks set a franchise record with their 21st road victory by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers, 94-84, at Portland, Ore.

Dirk Nowitzki added 19 points and 14 rebounds, and made consecutive three-point shots during a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter that secured the victory.

“We’ve got to let these teams know that we’re one of the top teams too, in the Western Conference,” Howard said. “We’re for real. We’re improving, night in and night out.”

Arvydas Sabonis scored 19 points and Scottie Pippen had 10 assists for the Trail Blazers, who had won three in a row but fell into a tie for fifth place in the Western Conference playoff race with the Mavericks at 46-25, a half-game behind the No. 4 Lakers (47-25).

The only low moment for the Mavericks came when Howard landed awkwardly on his left hand while going for a loose ball with 52.7 seconds to play, apparently suffering a dislocated left ring finger.

Dallas, guaranteed of a winning road record for the first time in its 21-year history, had won 20 road games three times, most recently in 1987-88.

Seattle 94, Minnesota 93--Ruben Patterson made two free throws and soared from the side to block Kevin Garnett’s shot in the last 32 seconds at Seattle.

The victory ended the Timberwolves’ four-game winning streak and kept the SuperSonics’ slim playoff hopes alive.

Patterson finished with 19 points and Patrick Ewing scored a season-high 19 to go with 10 rebounds.

Garnett finished with 21 for Minnesota, but he was held to four in the final quarter.

The SuperSonics (40-34) have won nine of their last 10 games. With eight games remaining, they are four games behind the Timberwolves (42-29) for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

Phoenix 103, Cleveland 94--Jason Kidd scored 29 points at Phoenix as the Suns won their fifth in a row.

Tony Delk added 22 points for the Suns. Kidd, averaging 24 points during the winning streak, also had 10 assists.

Andre Miller scored 22 points and Matt Harpring added 19 for the Cavaliers, who lost for the 13th time in 17 games.

Orlando 96, Philadelphia 95--Tracy McGrady matched a career high with 44 points and made a driving bank shot with 2.7 seconds left as the Magic held off a frenzied rally by the 76ers at Philadelphia.

McGrady, who made 18 of 35 shots, took an inbounds pass with 7.6 seconds remaining and drove straight down the lane to make the winning basket. A desperation heave by Allen Iverson fell short for the 76ers, who have lost six of seven.

Iverson, battling bronchitis, finished with 37 points and 10 turnovers. His three-point play with 7.6 seconds remaining gave the 76ers a 95-94 lead.

New Jersey 99, Denver 96--Keith Van Horn scored 25 points to lead the Nets at East Rutherford, N.J.